Brown will try for third straight BC Filly and Mare Sprint with Ways and Means

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – While trainer Chad Brown’s prowess in several of the Breeders’ Cup turf races is well documented, it might be surprising to some to learn is he is the leading trainer in the BC Filly and Mare Sprint on dirt as well.

Brown has won three runnings of the Filly and Mare Sprint, including the last two with Goodnight Olive. Next month, Brown will seek a personal three-peat with Ways and Means after that filly won Sunday’s Grade 2, $250,000 Gallant Bloom Stakes.

In the Gallant Bloom, Ways and Means, under Flavien Prat, pressed the pace established by Nic’s Style before drawing clear to a four-length victory. The victory was the third straight for Ways and Means and fourth from five career races contested around one turn. She will be a 3-year-old taking on older foes such as Sweet Azteca, Vahva, and Society, but Brown views Ways and Means as a top-flight contender nonetheless.

“I view her as one of the favorites in the race,” said Brown, who also won the Filly and Mare Sprint in 2015 with Wavell Avenue. “It should be a very competitive race. I know she’s only 3, but it looks like seven furlongs is a good distance for her. She’s got good tactical speed. I’d say she’s one of the contenders.”

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Three-year-olds who have won the Filly and Mare Sprint include Shamrock Rose (2018), Covfefe (2019), and Gamine (2020).

Ways and Means, who won the Grade 1 Test in August, earned a 101 Beyer Speed Figure for the Gallant Bloom win.

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